Uganda’s Elite Schools See Unexpected Drop in Top Exam Scores
KAMPALA, Uganda – A surprising trend has emerged from Uganda’s 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results: several of Kampala’s most prestigious primary schools, historically known for academic excellence, reported zero candidates achieving the highest possible score of Aggregate 4. The anomaly is prompting a national conversation about evolving exam dynamics and potential weaknesses in subject performance, particularly in social studies and religious education.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) released the results this week, revealing a slight overall improvement in performance. Executive Director Dan Odongo announced that 91,990 candidates – 11.39% of the 817,883 who sat the exams – achieved Division One, a marginal increase from previous years. However, the coveted Aggregate 4 remained exceptionally rare across the country.
“The challenges in Social Studies and Religious Education (SST) significantly impacted overall aggregates,” Odongo explained during a press conference at State Lodge Nakasero. “Integrated questions within SST proved particularly difficult for many candidates.”
The absence of Aggregate 4 scores was most striking in Kampala. Schools like Kampala Parents School (KPS), Kabojja Junior School, City Parents School, and Greenhill Academy – all consistently ranked among the city’s top performers – reported no perfect scores despite boasting high pass rates. KPS, for example, celebrated a 100% pass rate with 96 pupils achieving First Grade and 89 securing Second Grade, ensuring all candidates qualify for secondary education.
This isn’t simply a matter of bragging rights. The PLE results determine placement in secondary schools, and a strong Aggregate score is crucial for access to the most competitive institutions.
“These are the big schools we trust – why no perfect scores this year?” questioned a concerned Kampala parent, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many.
Educators are pointing to the Ministry of Education’s recent shift towards competency-based learning as a potential contributing factor. Schools in districts outside Kampala, such as Mukono and Wakiso, dominated the Aggregate 4 leaderboard, suggesting that urban institutions may be slower to adapt to the new curriculum. In contrast, schools in Northern Uganda, like Hilder Private Primary in Gulu City, celebrated students achieving Aggregate 4, including top-performing girls.
KPS Principal Daphine Kato emphasized her school’s commitment to rigorous academic standards, consistent assessments, discipline, and strong parent-teacher collaboration. “We’re proud of our 96 First Grades, positioning our pupils for Uganda’s leading secondary schools,” she said.
While English, Integrated Science, and Mathematics were identified as the best-performing subjects, the struggles in SST highlight a potential area for improvement. UNEB noted that variations in candidate cohorts also contribute to year-to-year fluctuations in results.
The results come as over 77,000 candidates – 19.04% of those who took the exam – remain ungraded, shifting the focus to secondary school admissions. For Kampala’s elite schools, this year’s PLE results serve as a crucial reminder to refine their strategies in the face of evolving educational standards.
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The Ministry of Education and Sports has not yet released a formal statement addressing the specific concerns raised by the Kampala schools. However, the UNEB’s call for caution in comparisons underscores the complexity of interpreting exam results and the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing student performance. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable access to quality education across all regions of Uganda.
